The playful city

Purpose and goal:

The Playful City aims to assess and document methods and results from the ambition and effort to develop better playspaces in the city of Örebro over recent years. Key issues are how to build green playscapes and ”playotopes”, how to encourage joy of movement and physical literacy, how to build inclusive playspaces, and how to involve children in creative processes. Based on about 20 newly built examples, we will create a platform for disseminating knowledge based on our experiences.

Expected results and effects:

The Playful City aims to inspire and help other organisations to develop green and multifunctional playspaces with high social values. Expected results are: Documentation from good practice that serve as guidance.

The playground in Stadsparken in Örebro has been rebuilt into an inspiring example of an inclusive environment with high play values. Research study of three so-called extended schoolyards, including a focus on increased gender equality. Evaluation of how our work on play contribute to Agenda 2030.

A guide program to Örebro´s new play environments. Approach and implementation: The project runs for three years with five work packages:

The Park department at Örebro municipality is responsible for documenting methods, strengths and weaknesses for newly built play environments. The Park department is also responsible for rebuilding Stadsparken´s playground. Örebro University is responsible for the research study of three “extended schoolyards”.

The Social Development Department at Örebro municipality is responsible for the evaluation based on Agenda 2030. RF-SISU is responsible for packaging results from the project into a guide program.